Sunday, February 04, 2007

I was here, I saw it all. 4F, Barquisimeto, Lara

15 years ago, I was awakened by the phone ringing. We were told to cancel out trip to Maracaibo as there was military coup underway. We spent the morning listening to the news. The footage of the dead soldiers tore at my "mother's" heart. They were boys. Most had been deceived and told that they were defending the constitution, it wasn't until there that they realized THEY were the coupsters.We heard a loud sonic boom and ran outside! And then another! It was the military jets chasing Broncos. They bombed the airport. You could feel the earth shake. A friend of ours called . He had served in Vietnam and was here visiting family. He said, "I know what that was! They are using carpet bombing. I remember how it felt in Vietnam."We saw shadows, then heard the jets. Somehow, it felt safer outside. We took our 3 small children at the time and sat out in the yard. We saw a Bronco hit, and the pilot parachute out. Joshua was a little boy at the time. I remember the male excitement in his eyes and voice as he said, "Mommy, one day can I do that?"My heart stopped in my throat...he didn't know what was happening it just looked and sounded exciting, but I knew my boy would one day be a man. Would he need to fight for his country?I remember it all so well because it was the day before my birthday and we couldn't celebrate but had to stay home. I remember thinking what cowards they were to have attacked the residency where the presidents grandchildren were at the time. I remember the face of the Lt. Col. as he was taken prisoner.

15 comments:

Pat
said...

Each blatancy must take you to revisit places in the alcoves of your mind!! WE have not lived it, yet war affects us!!With chills we recognize the special music on the evening news, and we know that segment is for those giving their lives for our freedom!! With tears, we shed them as a mother, sister, or friend....You must have all those emothions flooding when you think of that which has gone before, and yet to happen,

You have such a heart for your adopted country and insight that some of us may never have. On a lighter note....Happy Birthday to you!Happy Birthday to you!Happy Birthday dear Rita, Happy Birthday to you!Love ya

I relived those phone calls we received from you guys during those days of the "coup". It was so un-nerving to be so far away and wondering what may happen to you. I remember you telling of the curfews, the tanks on the streets outside your door, hiding with the kids under the bed. I shed many a tear then and am doing so now.

I am so disappointed Kim beat me to wishing you a Happy Birthday! I wanted to get on here and be first. Oh Well! Happy Birthdy. I love YOU!

Actually I wished her a Happy Birthday First!!!!!!!15 years ago is when Chavez started. His end will come in God's time. I agree with something Rita and I talked about. If Chavez had one 15 years ago. None of our ministries would be where they are today. We would never have been able to live in the jungle. So we instead need to be thankful for the 15 years of ministry and church growth that we have seen and lived.

Thanks everyone. Happy Birthday to me!! Pam, the time you are referring to was actually a different uprsing. I'll write about it sometime. That was the Caracazo uprising and it was terrible. With the curfew and the tanks literally on our street. I should print up t-shirts. Been there, done that!

I told Caraqueña that she was a golpista and that her permission to comment was revoked due to her treasonous remarks to my presidency. As oficial vice president ,Rita, you should also ban her and put her on the commento non grato list!!!!!